RENO, Nev. – When news broke late Monday night that the Chicago Bulls had broken up their championship-contending core by trading Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the proverbial blood was in the water almost immediately.

Rival executives had been waiting and wondering whether the Bulls would have to go this route, to opt for Plan B because of Derrick Rose's second season-ending injury by finally succumbing to the league's collective bargaining agreement by way of a money-saving deal. And so they did, taking on Andrew Bynum's contract for the right to waive him and sneak under the luxury tax that is so much more punitive than it has been in the past. The Bulls landed three draft picks in the trade as well (a first and two seconds) but the strong message had been sent that the Bulls' shop may finally be open for business.

Bulls fans, players and most certainly coach Tom Thibodeau may be in mourning today, as Deng was a fan favorite and this is as tough as NBA decisions come. But this is welcome news for everyone else around the league.

So, what's next? We shall see.

While forward Carlos Boozer could be waived via the league's amnesty clause during the offseason as yet another way to clear the Bulls' books, it appears point guard Kirk Hinrich will be drawing the most immediate interest when it comes to the Bulls' possible next move. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Golden State Warriors are among teams that had been showing serious interest in Hinrich long before the Deng trade. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because trade talks are typically private.

Hinrich, the 33-year-old who is making approximately $4 million in the final season of his contract, is averaging 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 30.7 minutes per game but shooting at a career-low rate from the field (34%) and three-point range (28.6%). In the wake of the Deng trade, the natural question being asked by opposing teams is whether the Bulls will go into full-tank mode as a way to improve their draft standing and how that might impact the trade possibilities.

Even with the Warriors' current nine-game winning streak, they remain on the lookout for a point guard to play behind Stephen Curry. While small forward Andre Iguodala spends ample time as a playmaking point-forward and veteran Toney Douglas provides spot minutes, this is the void that was created when Jarrett Jack left for Cleveland as a free agent last July. Hinrich is certainly not the only possible solution on the Warriors' radar, as they remain in the mix for Denver point guard Andre Miller as well.

Miller was suspended recently and excused from the team indefinitely after his verbal altercation with coach Brian Shaw on Wednesday, and the Nuggets – according to several executives here at the D-League showcase – have been telling teams that they expect to trade him this week. The Sacramento Kings are also known to be bidding on Miller. Yahoo! Sports first reported on the Nuggets' newfound urgency to trade Miller.

As for the Bulls, this is the new way of their world. Let the bidding wars for almost anyone on their retooled roster begin.

averaging 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 30.7 minutes per game but shooting at a career-low rate from the field (34%) and three-point range (28.6%).

Granted, a team change could turn that around.

That's what I was thinking. He's had to manufacture a lot of his own shots in that Chicago team over the past 2 seasons whereas with us he wouldn't be forced to play that role. He'll still get his share of open 3's when they double Curry and the occasional layup but for the most part, he'd be used to run the offence and set up Curry and Co. Jarrett Jack played his best basketball for the Warriors and I'm sure we'd have the same affect on Hinrich.

At the moment we have problems with Curry handling the ball a lot and committing turnovers and Curry never getting a rest. I wouldn't expect Hinrich or Miller to do what Jack did for us but either of them will be better than what we currently have on the bench.

I think it's interesting that we've seemingly gone from a mindset of acquiring a backup PG to contrast Curry's play style to one that would be a more suitable substitute. No doubt, the way this starting five has played lately has been the catalyst for that change in philosophy.